Lifting device for aircraft batteries



LIFTING DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT BATTERIES Filed Feb. 11, 1947 2 Shets-Sheetl March 29, 1949. (5. B. FREEMAN 2,465,796

' LIFTING DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT BATTERIES Filed Feb. 11. 1947 2Sheets$heet 2 fieemiz 5 vrueufoz Patented Mar. 29, 1949 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE LIFTING DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT BATTERIES 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an aircraft battery lift, the primary objectof the invention being to provide a wheel-supported carriage on which atilting boom is mounted, so that when a battery has been elevated to thedesired position on the boom, the boom may be tilted to move the batteryclose to the fuselage of the airplane, to permit the battery to bereadily and easily transferred to the airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterhaving a vertically movable carriage operating over the boom, togetherwith a mechanically operable means for raising and lowering thecarriage, to accomplish the purpose of the invention.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of abattery lift, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the platform of thewheel-supported carriage.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the device comprises awheel-supported platform 5 which is formed with an elongated opening 6therein, through which the boom 1 extends, the boom 7 being pivotallymounted on the bracket 8 which extends downwardly from the under surfaceof the platform, as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawings.

This bracket 8 provides a pivot for the boom which is spaced anappreciable distance above the lower end of the boom, where the link 9connects with the boom, through the medium of the ears III that extendfrom the boom.

The link 9 connects with the lower end of the lever H which is pivotallyconnected to the frame I2 of the carriage, at 13, so that by moving thelever, the boom may be tilted from the full line position as shown byFigure 1 of the drawings, to the dotted line position,

The boom embodies a channel bar in which the chain l4 operates, thechain being of the endless type and operates over the sprockets l5 andI6 disposed at the ends of the boom.

The sprockets l5 and I6 operate in bearings H which may be welded to theboom 1 as shown.

The reference character [8 indicates a carriage which includes a mainsection I9, to which the rollers 26 are connected, the rollers 20operating against the inner surfaces of the channel bar, as shown byFigure 4. It will, of course, be understood that the ends of the chainare connected to this carriage I8, so that as the chain operates overthe sprockets, the carriage It will be moved longitudinally of the boom.

At the upper end of the carriage I8, is a frame 2|, in which a batterymay be positioned for support. The structure of the frame is such that abattery positioned therein, will be held against displacement.

Secured to the boom 1, at a point in proximity to the operator, is agear housing 22 in which the sprocket 23 is mounted, the sprocket 23lacing with the links of the chain l4 in such a way that as the sprocket23 is rotated the chain will be fed over the sprockets at the upper andlower ends of the boom.

A gear indicated at 24 is also mounted within the gear housing 22, thegear 24 being operated by means of the crank handle 25.

It might be further stated, that the carriage proper, or main support ofthe device, includes a front wheel 26 and a tongue 21 whereby thecarriage may be moved from place to place and guided in its movements.

The platform 5 also provides a support for batteries which may be placedthereon and transported from place to place.

In the use of the device, a battery to be elevated to the fuselage of anairplane, is positioned within the frame 2|, and the gearing is operatedto move the chain l4, and consequently the carriage I8, to the properheight.

Assuming that the battery has been elevated to its proper position, thelever II is operated, tilting the boom to a position adjacent to thefuselage of the airplane, where it may be readily and easily removedfrom the carriage l8, and positioned, within the airplane.

What is claimed is:

A lift of the class described, comprising a platform, a vertical boomrising from the platform, the boom comprising a channel bar providingparallel track surfaces with sprockets adjacent to the ends thereof, acarriage including an elongated main section, pairs of rollers mountedat the ends of the main section and operating on the parallel tracksurfaces, a portion of the carriage extending an appreciable distanceabove the upper end of the main section of the carriage providing asupporting arm, a carrying frame forming a part of the carriage andbeing extended laterally from the supporting arm thereof, an endlesschain operating over the sprockets moving longitudinally of the boombetween the parallel track surfaces, and being connected to thecarriage, whereby movement of the chain longitudinally of the boomraises and lowers the carriage, and means for operating the chain.

GEORGE B. FREEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Sr. No. 340,618 Magni et al. (A.P. C.) Pub. June 14, 1940.

